Integrates text and code seamlessly in one document
R is the underlying statistical programming language
Also can use other languages like Python, Julia, etc.
Quarto builds on, expands, improves R-Markdown
Easily create slides, html documents, pdfs, and more all using one framework
Integrate LaTeX naturally within the document
Works with R-Studio
Context For Why I’m Using Quarto
My Statistics Background
Transitioning from Math to Statistics/Data Science/Actuarial Science
Taught our Stat 320 - Mathematical Statistics course this past Spring
I’ve also taught our Introductory Statistics and Intermediate Statistics courses, but they use applets not R
I plan to incorporate Quarto next time.
Course Textbook
Pedagogical Choices
In class I used Quarto documents, which were shared with students to:
Organize and display notes/information
Set up Examples to work through together
Give “Activities” for students to work through in groups
Post the completed “class document” after class as a .qmd file and the compiled .html file for reference.
Homework/Projects/Exams
Assignment templates written in Quarto
Problem statements pre-written and spaced with room to work.
Data files and code snippets preloaded.
Examples
Exploratory Data Analysis
head(FlightDelays)
ID Carrier FlightNo Destination DepartTime Day Month FlightLength Delay
1 1 UA 403 DEN 4-8am Fri May 281 -1
2 2 UA 405 DEN 8-Noon Fri May 277 102
3 3 UA 409 DEN 4-8pm Fri May 279 4
4 4 UA 511 ORD 8-Noon Fri May 158 -2
5 5 UA 667 ORD 4-8am Fri May 143 -3
6 6 UA 669 ORD 4-8am Fri May 150 0
Delayed30
1 No
2 Yes
3 No
4 No
5 No
6 No
Exploratory Data Analysis
The mean only tells you so much, a boxplot is a great way to compare quantitative data.
Eleven urns contain red and blue marbles. One has 0 red and 10 blue, one has 1 red and 9 blue, etc. One urn is chosen randomly. Marbles are drawn one at a time with replacement. The draws are, in order, as follows:, R, R, B, B, B, B, B, B, B, B.
If you want to present some information, but you also want to toss in mathematical formulas like \(\displaystyle T^* = \frac{\bar{X}^* - \bar{x}}{S^*/\sqrt{n}}\) ,
and also run a bit of code
qnorm(0.975, mean =0, sd =1)
[1] 1.959964
then Quarto is great.
Memes
Lessons Learned
Should You Switch to Quarto?
Are you using R already?
Great for presenting information.
Great for integrating code.
Great for homework documents (easy pdfs).
Example together then Activity in groups as a pedagogy/structure works really well.
Questions?
References
Chihara LM, Hesterberg TC (2018). Mathematical Statistics with Resampling and R, 3rd edition. John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, NJ. ISBN 978-1-119-41653-1